TTU K-12

Staff and Student Highlights

Teaching With TTU K-12 Gives Instructor Freedom to Balance Career and Family

Cassie Gilbert, a Texas Tech Middle School math instructor, wanted to be a teacher
since she was very young. After achieving that goal and teaching in a traditional
classroom for eight years, she came to TTU K-12 almost two years ago.

After having her own children, she also wanted to spend as much time with them as
possible.

"After my husband and I moved back to Lubbock, I was looking for different avenues
to be able to do both things that I loved: teaching and being a stay-at-home mom,"
Gilbert explained. "TTU K-12 has given me this opportunity, and I am beyond thankful.
I am able to spend time with my own children, but am able to connect with students
around the world through teaching them math. It is a true blessing!"

With each student, Gilbert tries to be a guide as well as a math teacher, noting how
much adversity children face today.

"I always strive to be a light to each child in my classroom," she said. "I not only
want my students to learn math, but I also want them to learn they are loved, valued,
and that education is imperative for them to meet their goals."

Having taught in both settings, Gilbert says there are certainly challenges to teaching
online courses.

"The hardest part about teaching online is not having that face-to-face interaction
with students. I have missed seeing my students' faces and having conversations with
them about their hobbies and goals," she said. "However, I feel like my online students
have opened up more to me right away through TTU K-12 than my students in a traditional
classroom setting. I have discussed with my students shared hobbies we have, and I
always make it a point to check my messages and emails daily to maintain that positive
relationship. I want my students to feel connected even if we never have a face-to-face
interaction."

Along with a connection to her students, Gilbert says education is not something to
take for granted. She has a recipe for student success, whether online or in the classroom.

"I really do believe that a student can be successful if these things are in place:
a safe and secure learning environment, a strong work ethic from both teacher and
student, and efficient, timely feedback and support for the student. I strive to maintain
these throughout my online class through TTU K-12."

Most of all, Gilbert encourages any student to believe in themselves.

"You really can achieve more than you give yourself credit," she says. "As they say
at Texas Tech, 'from here (or wherever you are!), it is possible;' I want every student
to really believe that."